Electric switch



March 14, 1944. E. E. JOHNSON 2,344,249

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 3,- 1941 Elma/Z. cZa/msan, -INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 14, 1944 ELECTRIC SWITCH Elmer E. Johnson, Bronson, Mich., assignor to H. A. Douglas Mfg. 00., Bronson, Micln, a corporation of Michigan Application March. 3, 1941, Serial No. 381,478

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electric switches and particularly to switches of the recip, rocatory type.

More specifically, the invention is directed to a switch embodying in combination, ratchet mechanism and means for driving same.

One important object of the invention is to provide a switch, of the character above referred to, in which improved pawl means are associated with the driving means for operating the ratchet mechanism, including a latch or locking means for locking the mechanism in predetermined positions.

Another important object resides in providing resilient means associated with the pawl means and latch means for predetermining the respective positions of the same with respect to each other and to the ratchet mechanism.

A further object resides in providing a switch consisting of very few parts which may be easily and quickly assembled and economically manufactured on a commercial basis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after considering the description hereinafter set forth in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of the switch embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with parts of the switch removed and in section in order to clearly illustrate certain details of construction;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the position that certain of the moving parts assume during a switching operation;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse section, taken through a part of the switch shown in Figure 1, showing other details of construction:

Figure 5 is a section taken through a part of the driving means, to show the manner in which the pawl is associated therewith;

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the switch-pack or contact carrier, which preferably forms a closur for the switch casing; and

Figures 7, 8, and 9 are views more or less corresponding to Figure 6, but showing the various positions of the bridge member forming a part of the switch mechanism.

In the drawing, numeral I generally designates a box-like switch casing; 2 a contact carrier or switchback forming a closure for the open side of the casing I; 3 is the switch or ratchet mechanism; and 4 is the .plunger or driving means which carries a pawl for rotating the ratchet mechanism in such a manner that the bridge means 5 associated with the ratchet is rotated walls 9 and It, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

The switch mechanism generally designated a is rotatably mounted on an axle member or stub shaft II, which has a reduced portion fitted within an aperture provided therefor adjacent the center of the bottom wall! of the casing, and is flanged over against the outer surface of said wall whereby to firmly and permanently secure the axle in place, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. This axle projects into the casing I, and includes a relatively large cylindrical portion l2, and a spindle portion II which supports a rotatable element ll. One extremity of the element It is rovided with an annular enlargement l5 which bears against the cylindrical portion l2 of the axle, and the other extremity consists of a tubular portion [8, the longitudinal side of which is preferably flattened as indicated at ll in Figures 2 and 3. A toothed member or ratchet wheel I8 is carried by the element II, and is provided with a central aperture which substantially conforms to the cross-section of the tubular portion It so that the ratchet wheel will rotate with the element. This wheel is preferably planar in character, and its periphery is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth, preferably nine in number, including teeth I9, 20, and 2|.

The bridge means generally designated 5 includes, among other things, a round planar insulating carrier 22 and a metal bridge member 23 of substantially the same diameter as the carrier 22. The bridge 23 is preferably provided with a plurality of equally spaced apart contact portions 24, 25, and 28 clearly illustrated in Figures 4, and 7 through 9, which portions are adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts carried by the carrier. The bridge 23 is preferably provided with a plurality of equally spaced apart protuberances 21 which project outwardly from the plane of the bri ge in a direction opposite to that of the contact portions 24 through 26, and fit within apertures provided therefor in the carrier 22 in order to prevent rotation of the bridge member with respect thereto. This arrangement permits the bridge and barrier to be assembled in either of three posi tions. The carrier 22 is preferably provided with a central aperture 23 corresponding to the crosssection of the tubular portion lb of element ll, in order to hold the bridge means against rotation relative to the element in the same manner as the ratchet wheel I3 is held against rotation. The bridge 23 is preferably provided with a central round aperture 29, somewhat larger than the aperture 28 in the carrier, in order to prevent the bridge from coming into electrical engagement with the tubular element H, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

Resilient means, preferably in the form of a coiled cone shaped spring 30 is carried by the tubular element and is interposed between the carrier 22 and the ratchet wheel I3 for urging the bridge 23 toward the stationary contacts on the carrier 2, and the wheel into the desired bearing relation with the cylindrical portion of the element II. Due to the fact that the large end of the spring engages the bridge carrier 22, the force exerted by the sprin is well distributed with respect to the bridge.

The plunger or driving means generally designated 3 and related structure will now be described. A tubular bearing member 3| is preferably permanently secured to the upper wall 1 of the switch casing, and the hole in this bearing is arranged in alignment with an aperture provided in the lower wall 8 of the casing. A cylindrical push rod 32 is slidably mounted in the bearing 3| and the aperture in the wall 8, and as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 the rod is located between the axle II and the side wall 9 of the casing. The outer and of the bearing 3| is preferably provided with a threaded extension 33 which is adapted to be inserted into an opening provided therefor in a mounting, such as the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle, and a nut 34 is provided for cooperation with the extension for clamping the switch to the mount ing. Obviously, means other than that just referred to may be satisfactorily employed for attaching the switch to a mounting. The rod 32 is provided with a reduced portion or neck 35 intermediate its ends.

A relatively rigid pawl member 36 is carried by the rod 32. The pawl is generally L-shaped, and includes a generally flat end portion 31 and an arm portion 33, which portions preferably form an obtus angle. The end portion 31 is generally square in shape and includes the marginal sides 33, 42, 4|, and 42. A notch 43 intersects the side 40 and extends inwardly between and parallel to the walls 39 and II, at least to a point approximating the center of the end Dortion 31. This notch 43 receives the reduced or neck portion 35 of the rod as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5. The arm portion 38 Of the pawl is provided with an elongated longitudinal extending generally rectanmlar slot 44 which receives a portion of the ratchet wheel I8. A relatively long helical spring 45 is carried by the rod 32 and functions to urge the end portion 31 of the pawl into engagement with that portion of the bearing 3| which projects into the switch casing and is flanged over for the purpose of securing the bearing to the casing, and also presses the arm 33 to a position substantially parallel to the rod 32 with the free extremity of the arm in engagement with the long edge of the ratchet tooth 20, in which position the adiacent tooth 2| rojects through the slot tation with respect to the rod 32.

34 so that a portion or the point thereof is located at one side of the arm 33, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. In view of this arrangement, the pawl may be easily fitted onto the rod by merely pressing its end portion 31 between the flanged extremity of the bearing 3| and the spring 45 so that the notch 43 registers with the neck 35, it being understood that the rod is first moved to the position shown in Figur 2 to place the neck immediately below the flange. This afiords a quick method of assembly in mass production. It is to be noted that the pawl is frictionally held in relation to the rod partly by the sprin 43, and is particularly held against rotation by the bottom wall 6 of the casing and the carrier 2. In other words, the distance between the marginal sides 40 and I2 01 the end portion 31 of the pawl is more or less equal to the depth of the switch casing. Normally, the marginal side 33 of the end portion 31 slidably engages the bottom wall 8 of the casing. The fact that a portion of the ratchet wheel I 8 is at all times disposed in the slot 44 of the pawl, also assists in holding the pawl in relation to and against ro- One corner of the end portion 31 of the pawl adjacent the sides 4| and 42 is preferably bevelled so as to provide clearance for the carrier 22 and bridge 23 when the rod is driven inwardly to operate the switch or ratchet mechanism.

Means are provided whereby to hold the ratchet wheel I 8 against rotation after each successive down stroke or operation of the push rod 32 and to further assist in maintaining the pawl in a predetermined position with respect to the wheel; and this means includes a generally L-shaped resilient locking element 46, which has a. generally square shaped end portion 41 provided with a round hole through whichthe rod 32 slides. It is of course to be understood, that if found desirable, the end portion could be provided with a notch, similar to the notch 43 in the end portion of the pawl whereby to improve the problem of assembling the locking element to the rod 32. This end portion is pressed into engagement with the lower wall 3 of the casing by the spring 45, and rotation of the locking element 46 relatlve to the rod is counteracted by reason of the fact that the side 48 of the end portion engages the bottom wall 6 of the casing, substantiall in the same manner as the side 40 of the end portion of the pawl. The element 46 also includes a resilient generally rectangular arm portion 49 which preferably extends upwardly in a generally spaced apart parallel relation to the rod 32, with its free extremity normally bearing against the free extremity of the arm portion 38 of the pawl, whereby to assist in urging the said extremity of the latter into engagement with the edge of one of the ratchet teeth. Accordingly, the resiliency of the locking element 45 in con junction with the action of the long helical spring 45 carried by the rod 32 serve to maintain the various parts in the position shown in Figure 2.

In view of the foregoing it should be evident that when the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 2, and the rod 32 is depressed or moved downwardly by an operator the pawl 38 associated therewith will also be carried forward, and that the instant the lower marginal edge of the elongated slot 44 in the arm 38 of the pawl clears the point of the ratchet tooth 20, the action produced by the spring 45 which has been compressed by the downward movement of the rod causes the arm 38 to snap outwardly or pivot with respect to the rod 32 and away from the locking element 48 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Of course, when the rod 32 is depressed, rotation of the ratchet wheel and parts movable therewith including the bridge member 23 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, is prevented, by reason of the fact that the free upstanding extremity of the element 46 is held in locking engagement with the ratchet tooth 2|, and since the spring 45 is compressed movable parts of the switch again assumea position corresponding to that in Figure 2, in which position, the locking element 46 will engage the pawl including the tooth 20. In other words, there is a step by step rotary movement of the ratchet wheel and the bridge member 23 on each up-stroke of the rod or drive member of the switch, so that'certain of the contact portions on the bridge may be brought into various positions for engaging the various stationary contacts carried by theswitchback or carrier 2.

Referring now to the carrier 2, the same is preferably comprised of a pair of superimposed plies or plates of insulatingmaterial. The plate 50 is somewhat thicker than the plate 5| because it is adapted to' carry the stationary contacts and other electrical connection means associated therewith. A terminal post identified by the letter B provided for connection, for example, with the storage battery of an automobile, is mounted on the carrier 2, and a post similar in construction to B and identified by the letter L, is mountedon the carrier for connection with the headlamps. These posts B and L are preferably of a character to receive and resiliently retain terminals of the plug conductor type. A third post identified by the letter T is also mounted on the carrier, and provides means to which a wire may be secured leading to the tail lamp.

These posts may be secured to the plate 50 of I tions 24 through 26 of the bridge member 23. I

As clearly illustrated in Figures 6 through 9, a pair of spaced apart contact rivets 52 and 53 assist in securing the post B to the carrier; a rivet 54 for the post L; and a pair of rivet contacts 55 and 56 for the post T; all of which are more or less circumferentially arranged and disposed .the same radial distance from a common center substantially in the same manner as the contact portions 24 through 26 of the bridge. The thinplate 5! of insulating material forming a part of the carrier 2 is preferably provided with a plurality of round apertures through which the heads of the contact rivets extend in' order that the contact face of the rivets will be arranged in a position substantially flush with the under planar surface of the plate whereby a smooth track is provided for the contact portions 24 through 2Bof the bridge member 23.

Reference to Figures 1, and 6 through 9 clearly and posts, and the various positions the contact portions of the bridge assume when the switch is operated. In Figure 7, the contact portions 24 through 26 of the bridge 23 are shown to be in engagement with the bottom insulating plate 5| of the carrier 2, in which position, the switch is inoperative to close a circuit or circuits. In Figure 8, the contact portions 24 and 26 of the bridge are in engagement with the rivet contacts 56 and 52 of posts L and B, respectively, whereby to establish a closed circuit to illuminate, for example, the tail lamps-of a car; and in Figure 9 the contact portions 24, 25, and of the bridge are in engagement with the rivet contact 51 of post T, and contacts 53 and 54 of posts B and L, respectively, whereby circuits may be closed to illuminate the headlamps and tail lamps of an automobile.

In view of the foregoing description it should be evident that improved means have been provided for rotating the ratchet wheel of an electric indicate the arrangement of the contact rivets switch, and particularly that a single spring element provides means for predetermining the position of an operating pawl and the means for I retaining the wheel and parts associated therewith in predetermined positions whenever the driving meansis depressed.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination-of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. An electric witch including, a casing, a

. ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on said casing,

a rod slidably mounted on said casing with its axis arranged transverse to the axis of rotation of said ratchet wheel, a carrier carrying contacts mounted on said casing, a bridge member movable with said wheel for engaging said contacts, a pawl carried by said rod having an arm portion provided with a recess receiving at least one tooth on said wheel, a separate locking element carried by said rod having a portion extending toward said pawl, and resilient means carried by said rod, the extremities of said means acting on said pawl and on said element whereby when said rod is actuated in one direction said element will engage said tooth to prevent rotation of said wheel when the recess in said pawl is in the act of receiving an adjacent tooth, and when moved in the opposite direction said pawl will engage said adjacent tooth to rotate said wheel to a predetermined position whereupon said element will be positioned to engage said tooth to prevent rotation of the wheel when the rod is again moved in said one direction.

2. An electric switch including, a casing, an axle secured to a wall of said casing, an abutment provided on said axle, a tubular element rotatably mounted on said axle having an abutment bearing against the abutment on the axle, a fiat ratchet wheel mounted for rotat on with said tubular element, a carrier carrying contacts secured to said casing, a bridge carrier carrying a bridge member mounted for rotation with said tubular member, resilient means urging the bridge member in a direction toward said contacts on means acting on said pawl for normally maintaining that portion receiving the ratchet wheel at an angle with respect to said rod.

3. An electric switch including, a casing, a ratchet member rotatably mounted on said casing, a rod reciprocably mounted on said casing, a pawl member carried by said rod and normally engaging said ratchet member, a separate locking element carried by said rod engageable with said ratchet member for locking the ratchet in predetermined rotatable positions, and a spring carried by said rod acting to maintain said pawl and said locking element in predetermined relations with respect to said ratchet member and said element normally in engagement with said pawl, and acting further to maintain said rod in an extended position for operating said ratchet member.

4. An electric switch including; a casing; a toothed element movably mounted with respect to said casing; operating means carried by said casing; pawl means associated with said operating means and engageable with said movable element; means operatively related to said movable element for locking said element in predetermined positions; and resilient means disposed between said pawl means and said locking means acting on said operating means, said pawl means, and on said locking means for normally holding said locking means in engagement with said pawl means and said pawl means against said element.

5. An electric switch including, a casing. a toothed element movably mounted with respect to said casing, a drive member, a pawl associated with said drive member adapted to engage the teeth of said movable element, a separate locking element carried by said drive member, and resilient means carried by said drive member in a manner whereby its extremities engage said pawl and said locking element to maintain said drive member, said pawl, and said locking element in predetermined positions with respect to each other.

6. An electric switch including, a casing supporting a carrier carrying contacts, ratchet mechanism carrying a bridge member adapted to engage said contacts, a plunger mounted on said casing, a pawl and a locking element carried by said plunger, said pawl and said element each having a portion extending toward each other, and means urging said pawl and said element in opposite directions with said portions in overlapping relation whereby said pawl is pressed toward said ratchet mechanism and said element is maintained in a position for engaging said mechanism to prevent rotation thereof when said pawl is carried forward to operate said mechanism.

7. An electric switch including, a casing, a rotary member mounted in said casing, abutments provided on said member, driving means slidably mounted on said casing, a pawl carried by said driving means adapted to engage said rotary member for rotating same, a separate locking element carried by said driving means adapted to lock the rotary member in predetermined positions, and a single resilient member having extremities acting on said pawl and on said elemerit for urging the pawl and element in opposite directions and locating said pawl and element in operative relation to said rotary member.

8. Operating means for a ratchet wheel mechanism including; a support; a rod slidably mounted on said support near the wheel adapted to be rotated; a pawl carried by said rod; said pawl having a base, and an arm portion disposed at an obtuse angle with reference to said base; a spring acting on said base whereby to normally maintain said arm in engagement with said wheel; and a locking element engageable with said wheelalso pressing said arm toward said wheel.

9. Plunger mechanism for use in conjunction with ratchet wheel mechanism including, a support, a rod slidably mounted on said support, a

pawl carried by the rod for actuating the wheel, a locking element carried by the rod for locking the wheel in various positions, and resilient means acting on said pawl and on said element for urging same in opposite directions and for predetermining their respective positions with respect to said wheel.

10. Plunger mechanism for use in condunction with ratchet wheel mechanism including, a support having a pair of spaced apart walls, a rod slidabiy mounted through said walls, a pawl carried by said rod for actuating the wheel, a locking element carried by the rod for locking the 5 wheel in various positions, and single resilient tion loosely connected to said rod and a portion extending therefrom for engagement with the wheel, a locking element connected to said rod, said element having a base portion loosely connected to said rod engaging the other wall of said support and a portion extending therefrom substantially into interlapping relation with the extending portion of said pawl, and single resilient means pressing the base portions of the pawl and element against said walls, said extending portions into engagement, and said pawl toward said wheel.

12. The structure set forth in claim 11, in which the base portion of the pawl is adapted to engage the wall of the support for limiting the movement of the rod in one direction.

13. An electric switch including, a casing, means adapted to be actuated mounted on said casing, a rod reciprocably mounted on said casing, a pawl member carried by said rod and normally engaging said actuated means, a separate locking element carried by said rod engaging said actuated means for locking said actuated means in predetermined positions, and a spring carried by said rod, the extremities of said spring acting to urge said pawl and said locking element in opposite directions whereby said element is pressed against said pawl and said pawl is pressed against said actuated means and said pawl is pressed against said rod for maintaining said rod in an extended position for operating said actuated means.

14. An electric switch including, a casing supporting a carrier carrying contacts, means adapted to be actuated carrying a bridge member adapted to engage said contacts, a plunger mounted on said casing, a pawl and a locking element carried by said plunger, said pawl and said element each having a portion extending toward each other, and means urging said pawl and said element in opposite directions with said actuated and said element is maintained in a position for engaging said means adapted. to be actuated to prevent rotation thereof when said pawl is carried in a direction to operate said means adapted to be actuated.

15. Operating means for actuating means including; a support; a rod mounted on said support near the actuating means for moving same; a pawl carried by the rod; said pawl having a base portion, and an arm portion disposed at an angle with reference to said base portion; a spring acting on said base portion whereby to normally maintain said arm in engagement with said actuating means, and a locking element engageable with said actuating means pressing said arm portion toward said actuating means.

16. Plunger mechanism for use in conjunction with actuated means including, a support, a rod movably mounted on said support, a pawl carried by the rod for moving the actuated means, a locking element carried by the rod for locking the actuated means in various positions, and resilient means acting on said pawl and on said element for urging same in opposite directions to maintain same in predetermined positions with respect to said actuated means.

17. Plunger mechanism for use in conjunction with actuated mechanism including, a supportv having a pair of spaced apart walls, a rod movably supported with respect to said walls, means carried by said rod for actuating said mechanism, and means carried by said rod for locking said mechanism in various positions, and resilient means acting on said first and said second mentioned means for pressing same against said walls whereby to predetermine the position of said first and said second means with respect to said mechanism.

18. The structure defined in claim 1'7 in which the rod is provided with a reduced portion and one of the means carried by the rod is provided with a notch receiving said reduced portion.

ELMER E. JOHNSON. 

